Apparatus for straightening metallic fishing rod mandrels and method of using same

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for use in selectively straightening any desired one of a number of metallic mandrels, which mandrels may vary in length, degree of taper, and diameter. Such mandrels are used in the manufacture of fishing rods to form tubular tapered sections from a resin impregnated fiber glass sheet. The apparatus is adapted to removably grip a bent mandrel and power rotate the same on the longitudinal axis thereof, with the mandrel while so rotating having sequential sections of a selected longitudinal portion thereof subjected to a transverse bowing operation to straighten said portion. The apparatus is of such design that the magnitude of the transverse bowing of the portion being straightened varies as the straightening operation takes place, with the length of the bowed section decreasing as the diameter of said section decreases. Such variation in the degree of bowing of the sections has been found necessary to attain true straightening of a mandrel.

ilnited States Patent Hogarth 1 Sept. 5, 1972 [54] APPARATUS FORSTRAIGHTENING METALLIC FISHING ROD MANDRELS AND METHOD OF USING SAME[72] Inventor: Harold P. Hogarth, 8605 7th St.,

Downey, Calif. 90241 22 Filed: May 7,1971 21 Appl.No.: 141,234

[52] US. Cl. ..72/109, 72/164, 72/214, 72/297 [51] Int. Cl ..B2ld 3/16,B2ld 3/02 [58] Field of Search ..72/214, 220, 160, 163, 31, 72/293, 296,297, 101, 210, 95, 96, 108

Primary ExaminerMilton S. Mehr Attorney-William C. Babcock [57] ABSTRACTAn apparatus for use in selectively straightening any desired one of anumber of metallic mandrels, which mandrels may vary in length, degreeof taper, and diameter. Such mandrels are used in the manufacture offishing rods to form tubular tapered sections from a resin impregnatedfiber glass sheet.

The apparatus is adapted to removably grip a bent mandrel and powerrotate the same on the longitudinal axis thereof, with the mandrel whileso rotating having sequential sections of a selected longitudinalportion thereof subjected to a transverse bowing operation to straightensaid portion. The apparatus is of such design that the magnitude of thetransverse bowing of the portion being straightened varies as thestraightening operation takes place, with the length of the bowedsection decreasing as the diameter of said section decreases. Suchvariation in the degree of bowing of the sections has been foundnecessary to attain true straightening of a mandrel.

9 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures APPARATUS FOR STRAIGIITENING METALLICFISHING ROD MANDRELS AND METHOD OF USING SAME BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION Art 1. Field of the Invention An apparatus and method of usingthe same for straightening tapered elongate mandrels used in theproduction of sections of fishing rods from resin impregnated fiberglass sheets.

2. Description of the Prior ART In the manufacture of high qualityfishing rods by the use of tapered elongate metallic mandrels, it is ofthe utmost importance that such mandrels be maintained in a straightconfiguration. Frequently in the use of such mandrels they will bedropped or inadvertently subjected to forces that bend or deform thesame, and until such mandrels are straightened they have no utility.Heretofore, no apparatus has been available that permitted a benttapered fishing rod mandrel to be straightened in a short period oftime, and with the person doing such straightening having little or noexperience in this field. The present apparatus provides a device thatmay be readily employed by a person of but limited mechanical skill tostraighten a tapered mandrel.

SUNIMARY OF THE INVENTION An apparatus for use in selectivelystraightening a desired longitudinal portion of a tapered fishing rodmandrel. The mandrel being straightened is removably gripped by a powerdriven chuck, and when so gripped and rotated has said portion subjectedto a transverse bowing operation between a first roller and second andthird longitudinally spaced rollers. The longitudinal spacing betweenthe second and third rollers decreases as a carriage on which they aresupported moves longitudinally towards the tip end of the rotatingmandrel. Also, during the straightening operation the first roller movestowards the second and third rollers.

A major object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus andmethod of using the same for straightening any desired one of a numberof fishing rod mandrels, which mandrels may vary in length, degree oftaper and diameter, and with the apparatus capable of being successfullyused for straightening such mandrels by a person having but a fewminutes of training in the use thereof.

Another object of the invention is to supply a device for use instraightening fishing rod mandrels by rotating said mandrels on thelongitudinal axis thereof, and sequentially subjecting longitudinalsections of the rotating mandrel to bowing operations that increase inseverity as the tapered end of the mandrel is approached.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus andmethod of using the same in straightening all or a portion of anelongate tapered metallic member of circular cross section used in theproduction of fishing rods, or in other precision manufacturingoperations.

A further object of the invention is to supply fishing rod mandrels thatare each identified with a particular insignia that is related to thelength, degree of taper, and the diameter thereof, which insignia whenmatched with a second insignia on the apparatus, indicates the length ofthe mandrel that should project from the rotating chuck to be subjectedto a straightening operation.

A still further object of the invention is to supply a fishing rodmandrel straightening device in which a carriage moves on a longitudinalbed that forms a part thereof, and the carriage supporting first, secondand third rollers that subject consecutive longitudinal sections of themandrel to a bowing operation to straighten the same, but with theseverity of the operation relative to a mandrel of a particular diameterbeing controlled by the length of the portion of the mandrel thatprojects from the chuck that removably rotates the mandrel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of thefishing rod mandrel straightening device;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the device, with the car riage in a firstposition prior to the straightening operation being initiated;

FIG. 3 is a second plan view of the device, but with the carriage havingmoved longitudinally on the bed as a straightening operation on themandrel takes place;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged plan view of the bed of the device,with the roller supporting carriage exerting a transverse bowingoperation on a section of the mandrel to straighten the latter;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the device;

FIG. 6 is a transverse cross sectional view of the device taken on theline 66 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary transverse cross sectional view of the devicetaken on the line 77 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross sectional view of the powerdriven externally threaded rod in engagement with an internally threadedmember that depends from the carriage;

FIG. 9 is the same view as shown in FIG. 8, but with the carriage beingmoved by the rotating threaded rod towards a'first position that thecarriage occupies prior to initiation of a mandrel straighteningoperation;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a set of spaced second insignia on the bedof the device, which when matched with first insignia on the mandrels,indicate the position the tip ends of the mandrels should occupyrelative to the power driven chuck; and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a butt end of amandrel that has a first insignia thereon.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The mandrel straightening deviceas may best be seen in FIGS. 1 to 3 includes an elongate horizontal bedB that is supported at a desired elevation above a floor (not shown) bylegs C. A power driven chuck D is provided that has a bore 10 extendinglongitudinally therethrough. The mandrel E being straightened may beinserted through the bore 10 to have a portion of the mandrel occupy theposition shown in FIG. 2.

First and second rails F and G are disposed on opposite sides of the bedB, and are supported by manually adjustable means H therefrom as shownin FIGS. 2 and 3. The first rail F tapers from a first end 12 of the bedinwardly towards a second end 14 of the bed as shown in FIG. 3. Thesecond rail G tapers outwardly from the first end 12 of the bed awayfrom the second end 14 thereof.

A carriage J is supported on bed B for longitudinal movement thereon,with such longitudinal movement being provided by a power drivenlongitudinally extending threaded rod K as may best be seen in FIGS. 2and 3. The carriage J as shown in FIG. 4 has first, second and thirdrectangular slides L, M and N respectively, movably supported thereon. Aspring loaded pressure receiving member is also mounted on the carriageas shown in FIG. 4. First, second and third rollers l6, l8 and 20respectively, are rotatably supported on the first, second and thirdslides L, M and N as shown in FIG. 4. The second and third rollers 18and 20 are longitudinally spaced and siutated on opposide sides of thefirst roller 16. First spring means P are provided that at all timesmaintain a fourth roller 22 rotatably supported from the underside ofthe first slide L in contact with the inner edge of the first rail F.Second spring loaded means Q are pivotally mounted on the carriage J andconnected to the first and second slides M and N to control the movementof the latter, spring loaded means Q includes fifth and sixth rollers 24and 26 that are at all times in contact with the outer edge of thesecond rail G as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.

The threaded rod K as can best be seen in FIG. 3 has first and secondsmooth surfaced end portions 28 and 30 respectively. First and secondhelical springs 32 and 34 encircle first and second end portions 28 and30 as shown in FIG. 3, with the springs having ends 320 and 34arespectively that occupy fixed positions relative to the bed B. When thecarriage J has moved longitudinally the length of the bed B due toengaging the rotating threaded rod K, the carriage contacts one of thesprings 32 and 34 which is compressed. Upon the threaded rod K beingrotated in an appropriate direction, the compressed spring 32 or 34moves the carriage J in a direction to engage the threaded rod K, andthe carriage then moves longitudinally on the bed B due to rotation ofthe threaded rod in a direction away from the compressed spring.

Each of the mandrels E as best seen in FIG. 11 has a first insignia 36stamped or otherwise formed on the butt end 38 thereof. A second set ofinsignia 40 that are longitudinally and transversely spaced from oneanother as shown in FIG. are visually displaced on the bed B as shown inFIG. 3. The mandrels E vary in length, degree of taper, and diameter atthe butt ends thereof.

When a mandrel is extended through the chuck D as shown in FIG. 2, thecorrect length of the portion of the mandrel 42 that extends beyond thechuck D is determined by bringing the tip end 44 of the mandrel intotransverse alignment with a comparable second insignia 40 that isidentical to the first insignia stamped on the mandrel. Inasmuch as themandrel E shown in FIG. 11 has the insignia 35 stamped on the butt endthereof, the tip 44 of the mandrel will be transversely aligned with thesecond insignia 35 as shown in detail in FIG. 10 and illustratedgenerally in FIG. 3. The first insignia takes into consideration thelength of the mandrel the degree of taper of the mandrel, and thediameter thereof, and by experience it has been found that when the tipend of the mandrel 44 is aligned with the comparable second insignia 40,the projecting portion 42 of the mandrel can be transversely bowed asthe carriage J is driven towards the second end 14 of the bed, withoutthe mandrel breaking.

This bowing and concurrent rotation of the mandrel portion 42 results inthe straightening thereof. By experimentation, a person can determinethe length of the portion 42 that extends beyond the chuck D forstraightening purposes, but it is much easier and simpler to use theinsignia code above described in arriving at the proper length for themandrel portion 42.

The chuck D as may best be seen in FIG. 2 is supported from a shaft 46that extends through a journal block 48 mounted on the first end 12 ofthe bed B. The shaft 48 is driven by a conventional gear reduction unit50 shown in FIG. 1 that is supplied with power by an electric motor 52.The gear reduction unit 50 also by conventional means (not shown) servesto drive the threaded rod K. A manually operable control unit 54 ofconventional design is provided that permits the threaded rod K to beselectively rotated in either a clockwise or counter clockwisedirection, and also controls the rotation of the chuck D. The chuck D,shaft 46 and gear reduction unit 60 has a continuation 10a of the bore10 extending therethrough, to permit a mandrel E to be inserted into thechuck or removed from the chuck by movement through the bore and boreextension.

The bed B is defined by two laterally spaced parallel structural member56, preferably angle iron, that are secured at their ends to two crosspieces 58 as shown in FIG. 1 that have legs 6t extending downwardlytherefrom to rest on the floor or supporting surface (not shown). Therails F and G as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 have apertured lugs 62 dependingfrom the end portions thereof that engage threaded horizontal rods 64-that extend outwardly in opposite directions from the members 56 asshown in FIG. 6. Lock nuts 66 are provided to engage the threaded rods64 and hold the rails F and G at desired angulation relative to the bedmember 56.

The carriage J as may be seen in FIGS. 4 and 6 includes a flat plate 68that is slidably supported on the upper surface of the rigid member 56.The plate 68 has guides or rollers 70 extending downwardly from theundersurface thereof, that movably engage the edge surfaces 560 of therigid members 56 to prevent lateral movement of the carriage J on thesemembers as the carriage is moved longitudinally on the bed B due torotation of the threaded rod K.

The first slide P is generally rectangular in shape and is supported onthe upper surface of the carriage plate 68 between a pair of firstguides 72 for transverse movement on the carriage. The first roller 16is supported on the inner end of the first slide L on an upwardlyextending stub shaft 74. A cross piece 78 extends between the first pairof guides '72 as shown in FIG. 4, and has a compressed helical spring 76in abutting contact therewith. The spring 76 encircles a transverselypositioned rod 78 that is secured to a protuberance 86 that extendsupwardly from the outer end of the first guide L. The spring 76 at alltimes tends to move the first slide L outwardly, and in so doingmaintains the roller 22 shown in FIG. 6 in contact with the inner edge82 of the first rail F.

When the carriage J is disposed in a first position as illustrated inFIG. 2, the compressed helical spring 76 moves the first slide Loutwardly due to the fourth roller 22 entering a recess 82a in the firstrail F, and the first slide L and first roller 16 being then sopositioned that the first roller 16 exerts no force on the mandrel E.The mandrel E can now he slid longitudinally through the bore andextension 10a to disengage it from the second and third rollers 18 and20. Likewise when the carriage J is in the first position as shown inFIG. 2, a mandrel E may be inserted through the bore 10 and extension10a to extend between the first roller 16 and second and third roller 18and 20.

The carriage J has two guide blocks 84 mounted in fixed positionsthereon as shown in FIG. 4 which guide blocks have aligned Openings 84aextending longitudinally therethrough, which openings slidably androtatably engage the mandrel portion 42 and assist in directing themandrel portion between the first roller 16 and second and third rollers18 and prior to initiation of the bending operation. Pairs of second andthird guides 86 and 88 respectively, are secured to the upper surface ofthe carriage plate 68 and serve to support the second and third guides Mand N. The second and third guides M and N are of generally rectangularshape as shown in FIG. 4. The second and third slides M and N have links90 pivotally connected to the outer ends thereof, and these links 90also being pivotally connected by pins 92 to inwardly extending arms 94that form parts of two Z-shaped members 96 that are pivotally supportedon pins 98 that engage the bed B. The Z-shaped members 96 includeoutwardly extending arms 100 that have the rollers 24 and 26 rotatablysupported in depending positions therefrom. The Z- shaped members 96have pins 102 extending upwardly therefrom that are engaged by alongitudinal tensioned helical spring 104. Tensioned spring 104 at alltimes tends to pivot the Z-shaped members in a direction that theoutwardly extending arms 100 approach one another.

Due to the tensioned spring 104 it will be seen in FIG. 2 that theoutwardly extending arms are substantially parallel to one another whenthe carriage J is in the first position as shown in FIG. 2, and thesecond and third rollers 18 and 20 are at maximum longitudinal spacingfrom one another. The carriage plate 18 as shown in FIG. 6 has aninternally threaded member 106 depending therefrom that engages thethreaded rod K, with the carriage being moved longitudinally on the bedB when the threaded rod is rotated. The end of rod K most remote fromchuck D is rotatably supported in a journal block 105.

As the carriage J is moved longitudinally on bed B towards the secondend 14 thereof, the rollers 24 and 26 are in engagement with the secondrail G, and the Z- shaped members 96 are pivoted in opposite directionsto force the second and third slides M and N respectively, together withthe second and third rollers 18 and 20, towards one another. As thislongitudinal movement takes place, the rail F forces the first slide Land first roller 16 towards the pressure receiving member 0, to exert abow in the mandrel portion 42 being straightened. As the diameter of themandrel portion 42 decreases, the severity of the bow formed thereinincreases, due to the second and third rollers 18 and 20 moving towardsone another and the first roller 16 I moving towards the pressurereceiving member 0.

Such bowing of the mandrel portion 42, together with the rotationthereof results in said portion being straightened. The pressurereceiving member 0 is of ar cuate shape, and is mounted on one end of atransversely positioned rod 108 that is slidably mounted in a transversebore (not shown) formed in a third block 110 that is secured to theupper surface of the carriage plate 68. A compressed helical spring 112encircles the rod 108, and has the ends thereof in abutting contact withthe pressure receiving member 0 and the third block 1 10. The first,second and third rollers 16, 18 and 30 are each formed withcircumferentially extending grooves 114 therein as best seen in FIG. 7,which grooves engage the mandrel portion 42 to maintain it in centeredrelationship with the rollers. The first and second rails F and G areadjustable as to angulation relative to bed B, with the angulation beingso selected that the mandrel portion 42 being straightened will besequentially bowed as it rotates, but without this bowing being sosevere as to cause the breakage thereof.

The use and operation of the invention has been previously described andneed not be repeated.

Iclaim:

ll. A device for selectively straightening elongate metallic mandrels ofdifferent lengths, tapers and diameters the type used in forming rods,each of said mandrels having a tip and a butt end which device includes:

a. an elongate bed having first and second ends;

b. a power driven chuck transversely centered at said first end of saidbed, said chuck having a passage extending longitudinally therethroughand said chuck capable of removably engaging any desired longitudinalsection of one of said mandrels;

. first and second rails on opposite longitudinal sides of said bed andspaced therefrom, and first rail tapering towards said second end, andsaid second end tapering towards said first end;

. a carriage longitudinally movable on said bed;

. first power means for moving said carriage longitudinally on said bed;

f. first, second and third slides movably mounted on said carriage, saidfirst slide transversely movable relative to said carriage, and saidsecond and third slides longitudinally movable on said carriage andspaced from one another;

g. an arcuate spring loaded pressure receiving member disposed betweensaid second and third rollers and transversely aligned with said firstrollers;

h. first, second and third rollers rotatably supported on said first,second and third slides;

. first spring loaded means secured to said first slide that are at alltimes in pressure contact with a longitudinal edge of said first rail;

j. second spring loaded means secured to said carriage that areconnected to said second and third slides and are at all times incontact with said second rail and move second and third slides andsecond and third rollers away from one another as said carriage movestowards said second end;

k. first means for stopping said carriage at first and second positionsadjacent said first and second ends after said carriage has at leastpartially traversed the longitudinal length of said bed, with saidmandrel when rotated by said chuck, and when in contact with said first,second and third rollers and pressure receiving member as said carriagemoves from said first towards said second position having consecutivelongitudinal sections thereof sequentially bowed to varying degrees assaid first roller is moved transversely towards said pressure receivingmember and said second and third rollers move away from one another,with said bowing and rotation of said mandrel cooperating to straightenthe latter; and

e. second means operatively associated with said bed for indicating theposition a tip of one of said mandrels of a particular length and tapershould occupy relative to said chuck.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 in which each of said mandrels carriesa first insignia that indicates the length, degree of taper and diameterof the butt end thereof and said second means are a plurality oflongitudinally spaced second insignia on said bed that are the same assaid first insignia, with the positioning of said tip of one of saidmandrels relative to said chuck being correct when the tip of saidmandrel is transversely aligned with a one of said second insignia thatis the same as said first insignia carried on said mandrel.

3. A device as defined in claim 1 in which said first power meansincludes:

in. an internally threaded member depending from said carriage;

n. an elongate threaded rod rotatably supported from said bed andengaging said threaded member, said rod longitudinally positionedrelative to said bed;

0. a reversible electric motor;

p. a gear reduction unit that is power transmitting connected to saidchuck and to said threaded rod and is driven by said motor; and

q. manually operated control means for selectively actuating said chuckand threaded rod to move said carriage at a desired direction on saidbed.

4. A device as defined in claim 3 in which said threaded rod has firstand second smooth surfaced end portions, and said first means are firstand second helical springs that encircle said first and second endportions and are contacted by said carriage after it has traversed thelength of said bed, with the ends of said springs not contacted by saidcarriage occupying fixed positions relative to said bed, and saidsprings when said threaded rod is rotated in an appropriate directionforcing said threaded member to reengage said threads on said rod forsaid rod to move said carriage longitudinally on said bed.

5. A device as defined in claim 1 in which said first slide isrectangular in shape and transversely disposed on said carriage and saidfirst spring loaded means includes:

m. two transverse longitudinally spaced first quides on said carriagethat movably support said first slide therebetween;

n. a crosspiece extending between said guides;

o. a protuberance on an outer end of said first slide;

p. compressed spring means extending between said crosspiece andprotuberance;

q. a stub shaft depending from an outer end of said slide; and

r. a fourth roller rotatably supported on said first stub shaft that isat all times maintained in contact with said first rail by saidcompressed spring means.

6. A device as defined in claim 5 in which said first rail has atransverse opening therein adjacent said chuck into which opening saidfourth roller may enter to move said first roller transversely to theextent that said mandrel may be disengaged from said first, second andthird rollers after said mandrel is straightened.

7. A device as defined in claim 1 in which second and third guides arerectangular in shape and said second means includes:

m. second and third pairs of guides that movably support said second andthird slides on said carriage;

or first and second Z-shaped cranks pivotally supported on saidcarriage, each of said cranks including a transverse outwardly extendingarm and a transverse inwardly extending arm;

0. first and second links pivotally connected to said second and thirdslides and to the inwardly extending arms of said first and secondcranks;

p. tensioned spring means that tend at all times to move said secondarms of said first and second cranks towards one another; and

q. fifth and sixth rollers rotatably supported from said outwardlyextending arms of said first and second cranks that are at all times inpressure contact with said second rail due to said tensioned springmeans.

8. A device as defined in claim 7 which in addition includes:

r. first and second guide blocks supported from said carriage that havesaid second and third rollers situated therebetween said guide blockshaving openings therein that are slidably and rotatably engaged by saidmandrel being straightened.

9. A device as defined in claim 1 which in addition includes:

m. third means for adjustably supporting said first and second rails ata desired angulation relative to said bed.

1. A device for selectively straightening elongate metallic mandrels ofdifferent lengths, tapers and diameters the type used in forming rods,each of said mandrels having a tip and a butt end which device includes:a. an elongate bed having first and second ends; b. a power driven chucktransversely centered at said first end of said bed, said chuck having apassage extending longitudinally therethrough and said chuck capable ofremovably engaging any desired longitudinal section of one of saidmandrels; c. first and second rails on opposite longitudinal sides ofsaid bed and spaced therefrom, and first rail tapering towards saidsecond end, and said second end tapering towards said first end; d. acarriaGe longitudinally movable on said bed; e. first power means formoving said carriage longitudinally on said bed; f. first, second andthird slides movably mounted on said carriage, said first slidetransversely movable relative to said carriage, and said second andthird slides longitudinally movable on said carriage and spaced from oneanother; g. an arcuate spring loaded pressure receiving member disposedbetween said second and third rollers and transversely aligned with saidfirst rollers; h. first, second and third rollers rotatably supported onsaid first, second and third slides; i. first spring loaded meanssecured to said first slide that are at all times in pressure contactwith a longitudinal edge of said first rail; j. second spring loadedmeans secured to said carriage that are connected to said second andthird slides and are at all times in contact with said second rail andmove second and third slides and second and third rollers away from oneanother as said carriage moves towards said second end; k. first meansfor stopping said carriage at first and second positions adjacent saidfirst and second ends after said carriage has at least partiallytraversed the longitudinal length of said bed, with said mandrel whenrotated by said chuck, and when in contact with said first, second andthird rollers and pressure receiving member as said carriage moves fromsaid first towards said second position having consecutive longitudinalsections thereof sequentially bowed to varying degrees as said firstroller is moved transversely towards said pressure receiving member andsaid second and third rollers move away from one another, with saidbowing and rotation of said mandrel cooperating to straighten thelatter; and e. second means operatively associated with said bed forindicating the position a tip of one of said mandrels of a particularlength and taper should occupy relative to said chuck.
 2. A device asdefined in claim 1 in which each of said mandrels carries a firstinsignia that indicates the length, degree of taper and diameter of thebutt end thereof and said second means are a plurality of longitudinallyspaced second insignia on said bed that are the same as said firstinsignia, with the positioning of said tip of one of said mandrelsrelative to said chuck being correct when the tip of said mandrel istransversely aligned with a one of said second insignia that is the sameas said first insignia carried on said mandrel.
 3. A device as definedin claim 1 in which said first power means includes: m. an internallythreaded member depending from said carriage; n. an elongate threadedrod rotatably supported from said bed and engaging said threaded member,said rod longitudinally positioned relative to said bed; o. a reversibleelectric motor; p. a gear reduction unit that is power transmittingconnected to said chuck and to said threaded rod and is driven by saidmotor; and q. manually operated control means for selectively actuatingsaid chuck and threaded rod to move said carriage at a desired directionon said bed.
 4. A device as defined in claim 3 in which said threadedrod has first and second smooth surfaced end portions, and said firstmeans are first and second helical springs that encircle said first andsecond end portions and are contacted by said carriage after it hastraversed the length of said bed, with the ends of said springs notcontacted by said carriage occupying fixed positions relative to saidbed, and said springs when said threaded rod is rotated in anappropriate direction forcing said threaded member to reengage saidthreads on said rod for said rod to move said carriage longitudinally onsaid bed.
 5. A device as defined in claim 1 in which said first slide isrectangular in shape and transversely disposed on said carriage and saidfirst spring loaded means includes: m. two transverse longitudinallyspaced first quides on said carriage thAt movably support said firstslide therebetween; n. a crosspiece extending between said guides; o. aprotuberance on an outer end of said first slide; p. compressed springmeans extending between said crosspiece and protuberance; q. a stubshaft depending from an outer end of said slide; and r. a fourth rollerrotatably supported on said first stub shaft that is at all timesmaintained in contact with said first rail by said compressed springmeans.
 6. A device as defined in claim 5 in which said first rail has atransverse opening therein adjacent said chuck into which opening saidfourth roller may enter to move said first roller transversely to theextent that said mandrel may be disengaged from said first, second andthird rollers after said mandrel is straightened.
 7. A device as definedin claim 1 in which second and third guides are rectangular in shape andsaid second means includes: m. second and third pairs of guides thatmovably support said second and third slides on said carriage; n. firstand second Z-shaped cranks pivotally supported on said carriage, each ofsaid cranks including a transverse outwardly extending arm and atransverse inwardly extending arm; o. first and second links pivotallyconnected to said second and third slides and to the inwardly extendingarms of said first and second cranks; p. tensioned spring means thattend at all times to move said second arms of said first and secondcranks towards one another; and q. fifth and sixth rollers rotatablysupported from said outwardly extending arms of said first and secondcranks that are at all times in pressure contact with said second raildue to said tensioned spring means.
 8. A device as defined in claim 7which in addition includes: r. first and second guide blocks supportedfrom said carriage that have said second and third rollers situatedtherebetween said guide blocks having openings therein that are slidablyand rotatably engaged by said mandrel being straightened.
 9. A device asdefined in claim 1 which in addition includes: m. third means foradjustably supporting said first and second rails at a desiredangulation relative to said bed.